Tool holster constructions

ABSTRACT

A reversible tool holster comprises a mounting pad with a pocket configured to accept a drill, for example, wherein the handle of the drill may be oriented in either direction in the pocket. A tool holster is also disclosed wherein the orientation of the pocket or tool holding element is canted or extended outwardly to enable workers to assume various positions comfortably with the tool holster.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention relates to various tool belt holster constructions for holding tools such as hammers, power drills and the like.

Construction workers, typically, utilize a belt with various types of holsters and pockets attached thereto or mounted thereon in order to carry tools at a construction or work site.

Typically, the tool belt is comprised of a heavy leather or canvas construction and the various pockets and holsters for tools associated therewith are affixed to the belt by sliding the belt through loops on the back side of the pocket or holster or by clips or buckles. Numerous prior art patents disclose constructions of this type including the following: TITLE U.S. PATENT NUMBER Low Slung Tool Carrier Patent No. 6,712,251 Tool Holder for a Tool Belt Patent No. 6,102,264 Tool Belt Patent No. 6,390,348 Tool Belt Patent No. D450,449

A problem that may arise with respect to tool belts concerns the fact that construction workers may be either right handed or left handed. Thus, placement of a particular tool on the right hand or left hand side of the body of the worker becomes a factor affecting the efficiency of the worker. Additionally, tools must be accessible to the worker in various positions so that the worker may perform his or her task. For example, the worker may be standing erect in order to perform a task. Alternatively, the worker may be kneeling or crouching or sitting. Thus, tool holders should be constructed in a manner which, when supported on a tool belt, will not interfere with the performance of the work being done. These factors, among others, contributed to the identification of the need for tool holsters and tool pouch or pocket constructions as described hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention relates to a reversible tool holster which is comprised of a back mounting pad with a holster pocket panel affixed to the front side of the mounting pad. The holster pocket panel is constructed so that a tool, such as a power drill, may be easily inserted within the pocket defined between the mounting pad and pocket panel whether the pocket is affixed to a tool belt by placement on the left hand side or right hand side of a worker. That is, the holster pocket panel is provided with a construction so that a drill handle or hammer head or the like can rest easily on either side of the pocket. Additionally, the back side of the mounting pad is provided with belt loops that are canted or oriented to facilitate placement of the holster on the left or right hand side of the tool belt.

An alternative embodiment of the invention comprises a tool holster wherein a tool support pad is slanted or canted downwardly and outwardly from a tool belt. In this manner, the handle of a tool, such as a hammer, for example, can extend outwardly from the belt at an acute angle thereby facilitating kneeling and bending and other movement of the worker inasmuch as the handle is displaced away from the body of the worker. The concepts associated with the various embodiments may be combined to provide workers with left hand or right hand tool holders having configurations which orient the tool in a manner which facilitate movement of the worker.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide various types of tool belt tool holders which facilitate ease of access to the tool and ease of movement by a construction worker.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inexpensive, rugged yet highly useful tool holster construction.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tool holster construction which may be easily used by both left handed and right handed workers and which may be used by workers which are engaged in construction activities that require standing erect, kneeling and other positions.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a reversible tool holster which may be used on the right hand or left hand side of a tool belt for holding a tool such as a power drill;

FIG. 2 is a back side view of the holster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A and 3B are isometric views of the holster of FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein a tool is depicted within the holster and the holster is mounted on the right hand side of a tool belt in FIG. 3A and on the left hand side in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a tool holster, especially useful for supporting a tool, such as a hammer, wherein the tool holster is affixed to a tool belt and projects the handle of the hammer outwardly from the body of a worker;

FIG. 5 is a back side isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a tool holder or holster similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a back side isometric view of the tool holster of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a third embodiment of a holster of the type of FIGS. 4 and 5 in a front isometric view;

FIG. 9 is a front side view of an alternative embodiment of a tool holster of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 10 is a back side view of the holster of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view illustrating the manner of use of the tool holsters of FIGS. 4-10;

FIG. 12 is another isometric view illustrating the utility of the tool holders of FIGS. 4-10;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view further illustrating the utility of the tool holsters of FIGS. 4-10;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view illustrating a tool holder of the type depicted in FIGS. 4-10 having a canted attachment strap for positioning on a tool belt; and

FIGS. 15A and 15B are isometric views of the hammer holster of FIGS. 4-10 mounted on the right hand and left hand side of a tool belt, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a tool holster which is especially useful for holding a tool having a longitudinal element and a lateral element or handle such as a power drill, for example. FIGS. 4-13 are directed to other embodiments or versions of a tool holster and, in particular, tool holsters of a type especially useful to support or carry a hammer or some similar tool having a head and handle. The concepts represented by each of the embodiments may be combined in various ways to provide tool holsters which are reversible, that is, useful on the left or right hand side of a tool belt for holding tools for workers who are left handed or right handed as well as tool holders which are useful for holding tools in an orientation relative to the tool belt to facilitate comfort to the worker in terms of access to the tool and in terms of the various positions which a worker must assume to perform tasks.

Thus, referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, there is described a first embodiment contemplated for use in association with a power drill tool, for example. The reversible left and right hand tool holster of FIGS. 1-3 includes a back mounting pad 20 which has a back side 22, a front side 24, a top edge 26 and generally parallel or converging first and second spaced lateral side edges 28 and 30 and a bottom end 32. The particular configuration or shape of the mounting pad is not a limiting feature of the invention and the invention is therefore described generally as having the elements enumerated. The shape of the mounting pad 20 may thus be varied depending upon the tools involved, the belt which is to be used by a workman, and other factors.

A pocket panel 34 is affixed to the mounting pad 20. The pocket panel 34 is affixed to the front side 24 of the mounting pad 20. The pocket panel 34 includes a top margin 36 having a generally middle section 38 and first and second lateral side sections 40 and 42 respectively which are connected respectively to the first and second spaced lateral side edges 28 and 30 of the mounting pad 20. The connection of the lateral side sections 40 and 42 results in the creation of a pocket with an opening 44 in the top thereof for receipt of a tool between the mounting pad 20 and the pocket panel 34. An important feature of the invention is the fact that the lateral side sections or edges 40 and 42 are less closely positioned toward the top edge 26 than the midsection 38. In this manner, a tool, such as a power drill, may be easily positioned within the pocket defined by the back panel or mounting pad 20 and the pocket panel 34 with the handle of the tool projecting either to the left or to the right from the pocket opening defined thereby. Consequently, the pocket can accommodate positioning of a tool for a left handed or right handed worker.

FIG. 2 discloses a further feature that enhances the left or right handed use of the tool holster; namely, a first holster support loop 50 and a second holster support loop 52 attached to the back side 22 of the mounting pad 20. The first and second holster support loops 50 and 52 each have one end connected to the side edges 28 and 30 and they cross one another at an angle. The opposite end of each loop 50, 52 is affixed to the opposite side and/or top of the pad 20. The choice of the angle of loops 50, 52 is dependent upon the positioning of the holster on the left or right hand side of a tool belt. Thus, as depicted in the figures, the right hand holster support loop 50 will orient the holster in a manner which facilitates ease of gripping the power tool within the holster by a right handed individual. Similarly, the left handed holster support loop 52 provides the same functionality for a left handed person wherein the holster is mounted on a tool belt on the left hand side of that individual. FIG. 3 illustrates, for example, how the holster would be oriented on a belt for a right handed person. The loops 50, 52 thus comprise means to orient the holster so that the lower end 32 is directed forwardly relative to the upper margin or edge 26. Assuming the holster has a vertical middle axis 70, the axis would be tilted forwardly at its lower end.

The holster of FIGS. 1-3 further includes, in a preferred embodiment, a tool retention strap 60 which connects the top section 38 of the pocket panel 34 to the front side 24 of the mounting pad 20. In the embodiment shown, an auxiliary pocket 62 is also provided attached to the outside of the pocket panel 34.

The pocket panel 34 includes a lower end or bottom section 64 which, in a preferred embodiment, is fixed to the bottom or lower end 32 of the front side of the mounting pad 20. The pocket panel 34 may be configured to provide for openings or passages, such as opening 66 and opening 68 between the pocket panel 34 and the mounting pad 20 through which the chuck of a power drill may fit, for example, or through which a drill bit may be extended if it is inserted into a chuck of a power drill. The inclusion or exclusion of openings 66 and 68 thus is optional. In the embodiment shown, however, the openings 66 and 68 are provided in a manner which facilitates the utility of the holster by both a right handed as well as a left handed worker as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively.

The preferred embodiment of the tool holster of FIGS. 1-3 is a generally symmetrical construction which is symmetrical about a generally vertical center line axis 70 extending along the length of the tool holster. However, it is possible to vary the symmetry of the tool holster. Thus, it need not necessarily be symmetric, but may be asymmetric. The preferred embodiment, however, is symmetric.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-13, there is illustrated an alternative tool holder which may be incorporated in tool holsters of the type generally disclosed. Thus, referring first to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, there is depicted a tool holster or holder especially designed for holding a hammer, by way of example, wherein the hammer includes a handle defining a longitudinal element with a head attached to the handle to define a transverse element. The tool holster is comprised of a primary or back side mounting pad 80 having a top end 82 and a bottom end 84. A secondary mounting pad 86 projects from the bottom end 84 of the primary mounting pad 80 and is curved to create a loop wherein the bottom end of the pad 80 comprises a top end of a secondary mounting pad 88 which is affixed to or near the top end of the primary mounting pad 82 by means of a rivet 94. A tool support element comprised of a metal loop 90 is attached to the inclined face 92 of the secondary mounting pad 86 by means of rivets, for example, rivet 94. The tool holster of FIGS. 4 and 5 thus is comprised of a single folded flat pad which forms both the primary mounting pad 80 and the secondary mounting pad 86. The pad is folded to define a generally acute angle between the primary pad 80 and secondary pad 86 to thereby position the metal loop 90 for holding a hammer. Loop 90 may also be a fabric or plastic material. The primary mounting pad 80 includes a back side 96 having a belt loop 98 incorporated therein. A belt may then be fitted through the loop 98 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 to support the holster upon a tool belt. The loop 98 may be canted in the manner of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a holster of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 6 a primary mounting pad 100 cooperates with a secondary mounting pad 102 which is affixed at its lower end 104 to the primary mounting pad 100. A metal loop 106 is attached to the angled face 108 of the secondary mounting pad 102 by means of rivets. The upper end 110 of the secondary mounting pad 102 is affixed by rivets 112, for example, adjacent the upper end of the primary mounting pad 100. As shown in FIG. 7, a belt loop 114 is provided on the back side of the primary pad 100. FIG. 8 illustrates a feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7. That is, a seam 116 attaches the secondary mounting pad 102 to the primary mounting pad 100. In this manner, placement of the seam 116 controls the angle of the secondary mounting pad 102 with respect to the mounting pad 100 during the manufacturing operation. FIGS. 9 and 10 disclose an embodiment very analogous to that of FIGS. 4 and 5.

The upper end 120 of secondary mounting pad 122 is foreshortened relative to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 and is attached by rivets 124. Thus, top edge 126 of primary mounting pad 128 extends above the edge-120. Again, a belt loop 130 is provided on the back side of the primary pad 128. The embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 thus provides a means for larger sized mounting belt loop 130. The belt loop 130 may include, for example, some soft padding material 136. Buckles or clips may be substituted for the belt loop 130. Alternatively, a right hand loop 131 and a left hand loop 133 may be attached to the back side of pad 128 in the manner previously described for the holster of FIGS. 1-3. In this manner, the hammer holster may be canted as depicted by way of example in FIGS. 15A and 15B.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate the manner in which a tool, such as a hammer having a handle 140 and a head 142 will fit through a metal loop 144 supported on the holster 146 after attachment to a belt 148 to provide for comfort to workers in various positions yet insure ease of accessibility of the tool.

The features of the embodiments of FIGS. 4-13 may be incorporated with a reversible tool holster of the type shown in FIGS. 1-3. Thus, the back or rear mounting pad of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 may be canted outwardly in a manner analogous to the looped construction of FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. This concept is illustrated in FIG. 14.

Other variations of the concepts disclosed may be incorporated in embodiments of the inventions. The number and arrangement of the pockets, the size of the pockets, the material used to manufacture the pockets, the use of mesh materials rather than the solid fabric materials, the incorporation of molded elements such as molded plastic elements in place of fabric elements are all considered to be within the scope of the invention. The invention is therefore to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A reversible tool holster comprising, in combination: a mounting pad having a back side, a front side, first and second spaced lateral side edges, a top edge, and a bottom end; a pocket panel affixed to the front side of the mounting pad, said pocket panel including a top margin with a middle section and first and second lateral side sections, said first and second lateral side sections connected, respectively, to the mounting pad first and second side edges to define a pocket opening for receipt of a tool between the mounting pad and the pocket panel, said middle section of the top margin extending toward the top edge of the mounting pad more closely than the first and second lateral side sections whereby a tool may be positioned into the pocket opening in more than a single orientation; and first and second holster support loops affixed to the back side of the mounting pad, each of said loops connect with the first and second lateral side edges of the mounting pad to form a loop for receipt of a tool belt, said first and second holster support loops having an angular relationship with each other whereby placement of a belt through each loop provides a distinct orientation of the tool holster relative to the belt.
 2. The tool holster of claim 1 wherein the holster is generally symmetrical about an axis between the top edge and bottom end of the mounting pad.
 3. The tool holster of claim 1 further including a tool retention strap connectable between the pocket panel and mounting pad front side.
 4. The tool holster of claim 1 wherein the pocket panel includes an open bottom end section.
 5. The tool holster of claim 1 including a supplemental pocket mounted on the pocket panel.
 6. The tool holster of claim 1 wherein the pocket panel includes a bottom end section attached to the mounting pad at the bottom end.
 7. A tool holster for holding a tool having a longitudinal element and a transverse element connected to the longitudinal element comprising, in combination: a primary mounting pad having a back side, a front side, a top edge and a bottom end; a secondary mounting pad having a top end, a bottom end and a front side, said secondary mounting pad attached to the primary mounting pad front side at the top end of the secondary mounting pad and projecting therefrom at an acute angle from the primary mounting pad; and a tool loop element attached to the front side of the secondary mounting pad to provide a receptacle for receipt of a tool longitudinal element and for support of said tool transverse element.
 8. The tool holster of claim 7 wherein the primary and secondary mounting pad comprise a single element formed by folding a single panel element into a loop having a first generally vertical run extending from a top end, an outwardly extending midsection and a bottom end section affixed to the top end.
 9. The tool holster of claim 7 further including a belt loop on the back side of the primary mounting pad. 